noveltune Chapter 284
Chapter 284
Raccoon Hunt
Thanks to the rampage of Mu-jin and the Shaolin monks, the enemy’s casualties quickly piled up.
Wi Ji-hak swiftly ordered a retreat, but the martial artists of the Martial Alliance and the Huashan Sect, who were deeply engaged in battle, found it difficult to extricate themselves.
Ultimately, the Martial Alliance and Huashan were only able to withdraw from Zhongnan after sustaining considerable losses.
Despite the victory, the mood among Shaolin and Zhongnan’s forces was not entirely cheerful.
Although their losses were fewer than the enemy’s, they had still incurred casualties.
Immediately after driving the enemy out of Mount Zhongnan,@@@@
the Shaolin and their allied forces chose to regroup at Zhongnan, prioritizing treating the wounded over pursuing the enemy further.
Groans echoed from various directions as bones were set and bandages were wrapped around wounds inflicted by weapons.
Those who were either uninjured or only lightly injured were applying medicine to the seriously wounded, setting splints, or bandaging them.
“Those who can move, gather the corpses! If we leave them, Zhongnan will be overrun with corpse poison!”
The lightly injured, following Jegal Muhwan’s orders, began collecting the scattered corpses around Zhongnan.
The bodies of those dressed in the attire of Zhongnan, Wudang, and the Jegal Family were set aside for proper burial.
The corpses wearing the uniforms of the Martial Alliance, Huashan, or other disparate outfits were thrown into a pit.
To prevent corpse poison, these bodies were to be cremated at once.
As the battlefield was gradually being cleared, the leaders of each faction gathered in the assembly hall of the Zhongnan Sect.
* * *
“Our losses, including those seriously injured, are about twenty to thirty percent. It’s a heartbreaking situation, but at least it’s better than the Martial Alliance and Huashan. Counting the enemy corpses we have found so far, they exceed our numbers by at least double. Considering their seriously wounded who fled, their casualties are likely around fifty percent.”
Jegal Muhwan emphasized that this battle was a ‘victory’ to lift the somber atmosphere.
“And we must continue this momentum.”
“Are you suggesting we attack somewhere?”
“Of course.”
In response to Master Hyun-hyeon’s question, Jegal Muhwan raised three fingers of his right hand.
“Broadly, we have three choices.”
“Huashan, the Martial Alliance, and Sichuan.”
“Exactly.”
Jegal Jin-hui smiled at Jegal Muhwan’s correct answer.
From the vantage point of Mount Zhongnan, Huashan lay to the east, the Martial Alliance to the west, and Sichuan to the southwest.
“Attacking each has its pros and cons. First, attacking Huashan would stabilize our rear. If Huashan remains and conducts guerrilla warfare, it could severely disrupt our supply lines in future battles. Furthermore, given the substantial damage Huashan suffered in this battle, they are the easiest target.” ȐÄƝO͍ʙÊ????
Jegal Muhwan laid out a map on the conference table, marking the factions with pieces similar to chess pieces.
Indeed, Huashan’s location was even closer to Henan and Hubei provinces than Zhongnan.
If Huashan remained, it would be challenging for Shaolin, Wudang, or the Jegal Family to support or supply them.
Therefore, Shaolin could have chosen to attack Huashan first on their way to Zhongnan.
However, in hindsight, bypassing Huashan and heading straight to Zhongnan had been the correct choice.
Had they delayed to attack Huashan, they might have found themselves locked in at Zhongnan as well.
Moreover, not only Zhongnan but also the Wudang and Jegal reinforcements there might have been wiped out.
Next, Jegal Muhwan pointed towards Sichuan with his fan.
“The advantage of attacking Sichuan is that we can rescue the Sichuan Tang Clan quickly. Currently, the Tang Clan is under attack by three allied forces and is in a precarious position.”
He moved pieces marked ‘Emei’, ‘Qingcheng’, and ‘Wudang’ to encircle the piece marked ‘Tang Clan’.
After his explanation, Master Hyun-hyeon asked,
“Given that the Tang Clan is under attack from three factions, shouldn’t we head to Sichuan first?”
Master Hyun-hyeon considered it more meaningful to save allies than to kill enemies.
However, Jegal Muhwan shook his head.
“If we do that, our rear will be unstable. As long as the Martial Alliance and Huashan are intact, Zhongnan could be in danger again. Moreover, if the rear collapses, saving the Tang Clan now would ultimately result in being surrounded on all sides.”
Jegal Muhwan continued his explanation smoothly, as if he had already made up his mind.
– “Are you referring to the formations set up at the Alliance?”
– “Hahaha. More than that, the people living in Woe-hyeon will themselves become a formation.”
The orthodox factions value their cause. Hence, fighting in Woe-hyeon would be challenging for them.
No, Wi Ji-hak intended to make that battle difficult for them.
This battle would either cause them significant casualties or a major loss of their cause.
– “Therefore, your roles are crucial.”
Wi Ji-hak looked at those moving with him, surrounding him.
These were the ones, including Jang Yo-san, who had been active in the Alliance since Wi Ji-hak became the alliance leader.
They were his most trusted subordinates, regardless of Shinchun’s hierarchy.
* * *
While the leadership meeting was ongoing, the cleanup around the Zhongnan Sect was also nearing completion.
Shaolin and Wudang received some of the supplies prepared in advance by the Zhongnan Sect.
Leaving their seriously injured behind at Zhongnan, they headed west with the supplies.
Utilizing their martial skills, they arrived near Mihyeon within a day and rested there for a day.
The next day, they traveled for another half day to reach the vicinity of Woe-hyeon, where the Martial Alliance was based.
As the Martial Alliance was established, a commercial area naturally formed, creating the region known as Woe-hyeon.
Surprisingly, people were still coming and going in this area.
Though it wasn’t as crowded as during the Martial Assembly, people could be seen walking around.
It was hard to believe that a war was about to break out here.
“People really haven’t left.”
“......The Martial Alliance has been here for over forty years. For the merchants established here, it would be hard to move elsewhere.”
Master Hyun-hyeon replied to his young disciple’s muttering while observing the streets of Woe-hyeon with a complicated expression.
They had to pass through this street to reach the Martial Alliance, but the building owners nearby were all looking at them with anxious eyes.
“We must be careful not to harm these innocent people. Let’s move carefully.”
Following Hyun-hyeon’s words, the Shaolin disciples avoided the people and moved cautiously. Wudang did the same.
“It seems it won’t be that easy.”
Jegal Muhwan’s words, accompanied by a wry smile, were immediately followed by a faint scream.
“Ugh...”
A passerby had been stabbed in the heart by a Wudang swordsman.
However, no one blamed the Wudang swordsman.
This was because they saw the passerby attempt to stab the swordsman first.
“Indeed. It seems they intend to use civilians as shields.”
Jegal Muhwan said, covering his mouth with his fan.
Jegal Muhwan had anticipated this.
That’s why their formation was arranged as it was.
The Wudang swordsmen, skilled in defense and counterattacks, were spread out on the outskirts, while Shaolin and Jegal Muhwan were positioned within for protection.
“We only have business with the Martial Alliance and its leader! If you do not attack us, we will not harm you! If you are not an enemy spy, stay away!!”
Master Hyun-hyeon used his internal energy to amplify his voice in a lion’s roar.
The principle of ‘do not attack if not attacked’ was now in effect, warning that anyone approaching would be considered an enemy.
Indeed, his warning caused the civilians of Woe-hyeon to flee in terror.
But suddenly, a scream echoed from a distance.
“Argh!!”
Then, bizarre cries were heard from somewhere.
“Run, run!!! The Shaolin and Wudang are killing people!!”